COMPARISON OF THE MILLIPORE DIGITAL TOTAL COUNT SYSTEM AND STANDARD MEMBRANE FILTRATION PROCEDURE TO ENUMERATE MICROORGANISMS IN WATER SAMPLES FROM COSMETIC/PHARMACEUTICAL ENVIRONMENTS

A study was performed to compare the Millipore Digital Total Count System with a standard membrane filtration procedure in enumerating the number of microorganisms present in several types of water samples (e.g., Hot/Cold Deionized, Tap, and RO/Ultra Filtration). Water samples were collected over a 4 month period. Statistical data analysis demonstrated an overall correlation of greater than 82% between the two test methodologies. The linearity of the microbial counts between both test methods was compared by artificially contaminating sterile water samples with Pseudomonas aeruginosa The linearity of the microbial counts between both methods was found to be greater than 96%. The Millipore Digital Total Count System was found to be comparable to the standard membrane filtration method in determining the number of microorganisms in a water sample. In conclusion, the Millipore Digital Total Count System was able to provide a 24 h enumeration of microorganisms present in a water sample. This rapid enumeration allows for a faster quality evaluation of water samples from an industrial water system that is used in the manufacture of cosmetic/pharmaceutical products.